Government assures steps to keep EXIM cargo moving amid US–Israel–Iran war disruptions.
India has reviewed the impact of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran and agreed on a coordinated set of measures to ensure the smooth movement of trade cargo, particularly time-sensitive exports such as perishables and pharmaceuticals, the government said on Monday, March 2.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry held a stakeholder consultation to assess the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia and its implications for India’s export-import (EXIM) ecosystem. Officials agreed to maintain real-time coordination to monitor shipping routes, capacity availability and rising logistics costs to prevent disruptions to trade flows.
The meeting focused on safeguarding exports of perishables, pharmaceuticals and high-value manufactured goods while strengthening facilitation at ports and inland container depots to avoid congestion and delays. The government reiterated its readiness to ease trade operations, including providing procedural flexibility in export authorisations during disruptions, coordinating closely with customs for faster clearances, and engaging financial and insurance institutions to support exporters.
Chaired by Suchindra Misra, Special Secretary (Commerce), and Lav Agarwal, Director General of Foreign Trade, the meeting brought together representatives from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs; Department of Financial Services; Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; the Reserve Bank of India; shipping lines; and other logistics stakeholders.
Participants flagged changes in shipping routes and transit times, disruptions to vessel schedules, container availability constraints, and rising freight and insurance costs. The need to ensure seamless documentation, payment processes and trade finance support was also highlighted.
Export consignments of fruits, vegetables and rice destined for West Asia are currently piling up at India’s western ports, raising concerns over spoilage and potential financial losses. Officials said ensuring continuity of EXIM logistics and minimising trade disruptions remains a priority, with a coordinated, whole-of-government approach aimed at protecting supply chains and exporter interests, especially those of small businesses.
Source: CNBC
